Weekly News (Jan. 8, 2024)

Mike Copperman Named CRA Executive Director

Mike Copperman is one of the most educated people I’ve spoken to about tobacco regulation, specifically in regards to cigars. Whether it’s litigation, academic research or lobbying members of Congress, he’s very well-versed. Hopefully, he can help to usher in a new era for CRA, one that sees it get more support from cigar manufacturers.

Espinosa Kicks Off 2024 With New Sumatra Line

And the award for the first cigar line to be announced in 2024 and shipped in 2024 goes to… the Espinosa Sumatra.

Vote for halfwheel’s Readers’ Choice Awards 2023

You have one week left to vote on our Readers’ Choice Awards. As mentioned in various places, we are doing this to learn more about our readers, the cigars they like, how they interact with halfwheel, etc. As for the award itself, there are six finalists based on the cigars that got the most nominations.

Editorial

• Truth in 24 (Programming Notes)

Cigar News

• Arturo Fuente Honors L.J. Peretti’s 150th Anniversary With Special OpusX
• Bolívar Armonía (ER China 2008)
• Fine Ash Cigars Launches Ceniza Fina
• LaVega Launching The Nano in February
• Supreme Leaf Rothschild Slated for March
• Tatuaje 10th Anniversary Capa Especial Coming This Month

Reviews

• La Gloria Cubana 25 Aniversario Robusto Extra
• Montecristo Robustos Reserva del Milenio
• OpusX The Great Smoke 2021
• Padrón Millennium Natural
• Paul Garmirian Super Sheffield Cutter
• Partagás 160 Aniversario Humidor Gran Pirámides

Deals From Our Sponsors

• Atlantic Cigar Co: Alec Bradley Fine & Rare 2023 BCN-143 — I haven’t smoked the cigars yet, but the bands have three roses printed on them, it’s a nice touch.
• Cigars Direct: Ed Reed Fine Cigars Robusto — Ravens’ fans, you have multiple former defensive stars with their own cigars.
• Corona Cigar Co.: La Aurora 120th Anniversary Preferido — We actually just bought a box from Corona. Update: It’s very pretty.
• Famous Smoke Shop: Powstanie SBC 22 — Despite the name, this just began shipping. The box comes wrapped in purple wrapping paper.
• Gotham Cigars: Liga Privada 10 Aniversario Robusto — These are starting to show up more and more, but still not the easiest cigar to find.
• JR Cigars: Joya de Nicaragua Cinco Decadas El Doctor — This is a great buy at $10 per cigar.
• LM Cigars: Oliva Serie V Melanio Sampler — Another great way to spend $10 per cigar.
• Smoking Pipes: Arturo Fuente La Gran Fumada Impossible 13 Collection 2022 — At $2,600, this is still absurdly expensive, but that price is without any mark-up.